Yuvraj Singh joins Team India’s huddle NEW DELHI: Former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh made a surprise appearance just ahead of the toss before the second T20I between India and South Africa in New Chandigarh, joining the players’ huddle and sharing a few motivating words. The 2011 World Cup hero joined India’s team huddle, offering tactical inputs and encouragement as India look to build on their thumping series lead.
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Yuvraj and Harmanpreet Kaur were honoured at the New Chandigarh Stadium with stands named after them.The ceremony was attended by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, along with friends and family of both players. Yuvraj was the player of the tournament in the 2011 ODI World Cup, while Harmanpreet recently led India to their first Women’s World Cup victory.Before the second T20 International match against South Africa, Yuvraj was observed giving a motivational talk to the Indian team.The stadium already features a pavilion named after Harbhajan Singh, and now Harmanpreet’s name adorns the stand opposite to it across the sightscreen.Photos of Yuvi chatting with Team India players quickly went viral across social media platforms.
Yuvraj Singh joins Team India’s huddle
Yuvraj Singh in Team India huddle
Yuvraj Singh meets Hardik Pandya
Just moments later, India won the toss and chose to bowl first.India’s confidence is sky-high after a commanding 101-run win in the series opener, a match that doubled up as an early audition phase for the 2026 T20 World Cup core. The night belonged to Hardik Pandya, who announced his return to international cricket in style with a match-winning all-round show.Defending 175, India’s bowlers dismantled South Africa in dramatic fashion. Arshdeep Singh set the tone by removing Quinton de Kock for a duck and sending back Tristan Stubbs just as he threatened to tee off. Axar Patel tightened the screws further, bowling South African captain Aiden Markram inside the powerplay. Hardik struck with his very first delivery to dismiss David Miller, and from there the visitors’ innings unravelled rapidly.Earlier that day, India had recovered from a jittery start after Lungi Ngidi removed Shubman Gill and Suryakumar Yadav cheaply. Tilak Varma and Abhishek Sharma stitched a steadying partnership before Hardik’s blistering unbeaten 59 off 28 balls powered India to 175/6, aided late by Shivam Dube and Jitesh Sharma.With India 1-0 ahead, all eyes now turn to Mullanpur, where Yuvraj’s pep talk will aim to keep the momentum rolling as the teams gear up for Thursday’s clash.
